Two-way clutch

Abstract

Provided is a two-way clutch capable of making a size in an axial direction thereof compact. A first engaging element and a second engaging element are arranged in a first wedge-shaped space and a second wedge-shaped space between an outer member and an inner member. The first engaging element is held by the first retainer and the first retainer is enabled to swing to the outer member. The second engaging element is held by the second retainer and the second retainer is enabled to swing to the outer member. In a side view orthogonal to an axial direction of the first engaging element and the second engaging element, at least a part of the first engaging element and at least a part of the second engaging element overlap in the axial direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A two-way clutch comprising:
 an outer member having an inner surface on which a first cam surface and a second cam surface forming a first wedge-shaped space and a second wedge-shaped space between the outer member and an inner member are formed, 
 a first engaging element arranged in the first wedge-shaped space, 
 a second engaging element arranged in the second wedge-shaped space, 
 a first retainer that holds the first engaging element and is swingable with respect to the outer member so that the first engaging element engages with or disengages the first cam surface, and 
 a second retainer separate from the first retainer that holds the second engaging element and is swingable with respect to the outer member so that the second engaging element engages with or disengages the second cam surface, 
 wherein in a side view orthogonal to an axial direction of the first engaging element and the second engaging element, at least a part of the first engaging element and at least a part of the second engaging element overlap in the axial direction, 
 wherein the first retainer is configured to allow the second engaging element to swing with the second retainer, and 
 wherein the second retainer is configured to allow the first engaging element to swing with the first retainer. 
 
     
     
       2. The two-way clutch as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first retainer has a support hole into which a shaft at an end of the first engaging element is inserted, and the second retainer has a support hole into which a shaft at an end of the second engaging element is inserted. 
     
     
       3. The two-way clutch as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the first retainer has a relief portion that allows the shaft of the second engaging element to swing with the second retainer, and the second retainer has a relief portion that allows the shaft of the first engaging element to swing with the first retainer. 
     
     
       4. The two-way clutch as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the two-way clutch is provided with a lever that swings the first retainer and the second retainer in opposite directions to each other. 
     
     
       5. The two-way clutch as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein a spring that energizes the first engaging element to the first cam surface and the second engaging element to the second cam surface is provided between the first engaging element and the second engaging element. 
     
     
       6. The two-way clutch as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein a spring that energizes the first engaging element to the first cam surface and the second engaging element to the second cam surface is provided between the first engaging element and the second engaging element. 
     
     
       7. The two-way clutch as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the two-way clutch is provided with a lever that swings the first retainer and the second retainer in opposite directions to each other. 
     
     
       8. The two-way clutch as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein a spring that energizes the first engaging element to the first cam surface and the second engaging element to the second cam surface is provided between the first engaging element and the second engaging element. 
     
     
       9. The two-way clutch as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein a spring that energizes the first engaging element to the first cam surface and the second engaging element to the second cam surface is provided between the first engaging element and the second engaging element. 
     
     
       10. The two-way clutch as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the two-way clutch is provided with a lever that swings the first retainer and the second retainer in opposite directions to each other. 
     
     
       11. The two-way clutch as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein a spring that energizes the first engaging element to the first cam surface and the second engaging element to the second cam surface is provided between the first engaging element and the second engaging element. 
     
     
       12. The two-way clutch as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a spring that energizes the first engaging element to the first cam surface and the second engaging element to the second cam surface is provided between the first engaging element and the second engaging element.